Flackwell Heath crowned champions after convincing win at Hilltop

Flackwell Heath's players celebrate the title and promotion. Photo: Glenn Alcock. 

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Hilltop 0, Flackwell Heath 4

Flackwell Heath have been crowned Combined Counties Premier Division North champions after claiming a comfortable 4-0 win over Hilltop this evening.

The Heathens needed one more win to wrap up the title, and promotion to step four, and they managed it in fine style, with Michael Harding firing them ahead after seven minutes before the floodgates opened after the interval.

The visitors put the champagne on ice when Jethro Odumosu netted in the 61st minute to make it 2-0 and the party really started when Callum Mapley made it 3-0 in the 72nd minute. Jamie Ayres then wrapped up victory with a couple of minutes to play.

The Heathens did their part, winning 4-0 to take the title, but they'd have taken the title tonight whatever the result as closest rivals Rayners Lane went down to a 2-1 defeat at North Greenford United.

The Heathens were handed the initiative in the title race a few weeks ago when Rayners Lane were docked four points for fielding ineligible players earlier in the season. But they held their nerve to claim narrow wins over Holyport (1-0) and Bedfont Sports (1-0) before cutting loose to comfortably beat Wembley (4-0). Saturday's 3-1 win over Edgware & Kingsbury put the side on the brink of the title with a couple of games to play, but they only needed one bite of the cherry, getting the job done at the first attempt away to Hilltop.

They did it. We did it. What a night, what a win, what a performance.

COME ON!!!!!!@FHFC1907 @MaidenheadAds @Darlington10 @Ollie_Bayliss @NonLeaguePaper @NonLeagueNews pic.twitter.com/fip8Sf7VY4

— Glenn Alcock (@alcock_glenn) April 23, 2024

Since slipping up 2-0 at home to Harefield United on March 9, Flackwell have shown the form of champions, winning nine games in a row to move seven points clear of Rayners Lane with their points deduction.

The Heathens will round off their title-winning campaign at Chalfont St Peter this Saturday while they're also in the quarterfinals of the Premier Challenge Cup.

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Elsewhere in the division, the race for the four play-off places is reaching boiling point with fourth-placed Burnham losing narrowly at Reading City, and hopefuls Holyport defeating Risborough Rangers 4-2.

Ben Murray's Blues went down to a goal from Natty Boakye shortly after the interval at City, while Holyport raced into a commanding lead at home to Risborough before conceding two late consolation goals.

Goals from Hoath and Kickie Dzimba gave the hosts a measure of control midway through the half, while Leo Carvahlo-Pedro put the result beyond doubt with a third on the stroke of half-time.

Dzimba slammed home Port's fourth in the 55th minute before they eased off the gas and allowed their visitors to score twice in the closing stages.

It leaves the battle for the play-offs intriguingly poised, with fourth placed Burnham, fifth placed Reading City and sixth-placed Holyport all locked on 58 points; however, Port have played a game more than Burnham and two more than Reading City.

Holyport will play their last game at Ardley United on Saturday. Reading City have a ridiculously hectic final week of the season. They're due to host Broadfields United tomorrow (Wednesday), Hilltop on Thursday and Edgware & Kingsbury on Saturday.

Burnham still have to play their game in hand at Hilltop away but they're due to play their final game at Wokingham & Emmbrook on Saturday.